JERUSALEM -- A huge blast Thursday rocked a Coca-Cola bottling plant near Tel Aviv, releasing toxic gas that killed one firefighter and injured at least 40 other people.
Initial reports indicated the explosion was set off by a leak from a tank of acid, an Environment Ministry spokesman told Israeli radio.
The blast ruptured an ammonia tank, spreading toxic fumes throughout the area of the plant and killing one firefighter, authorities said.
Police sealed off the area and halted traffic on a major highway running by the plant as emergency crews hunted through the rubble.
Hours later rescuers were still struggling to free a trapped factory worker.
Experts from the Environment Ministry called to the scene declared the area safe after fumes released by the explosion dispersed.
The blast shattered the plant in Bnei Brak just outside of Tel Aviv, which is located in a heavily populated area.
Officials said they initially feared they were facing a major environmental disaster.
Police spokesman Yaakov Raz said all indications pointed to an industrial accident and said the police investigation was not considering terrorist motives.
Most of the injured were firefighters who were hospitalized after being overcome by ammonia fumes at the scene.
